Binance, the globally renowned cryptocurrency exchange, has marked its return to the Japanese market by launching Binance Japan K.K., its local subsidiary. The announcement comes after two years since the exchange received a warning from the Japanese financial regulator for failing to comply with registration requirements.
Binance Japan K.K. is heralding a new era in cryptocurrency trading for the Japanese market. Through the newly formed subsidiary, the company aims to boost the Japanese digital asset market’s development. This strategic move leverages the nation’s drive for technological innovation and burgeoning interest in blockchain technology.
The launch will offer 34 coins, including Binance’s native token, BNB, for the first time in the country. Other notable tokens listed on the exchange include Bitcoin, Ether, Ada, Algorand, Atom, Avalanche, Solana, and Dogecoin.
The new platform will also provide spot trading services, yield generation through Binance Earn, and access to Binance’s non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. Binance expressed optimism in a blog post announcement, stating that Japan’s technological advancements make it an excellent location to build a robust and sustainable Web3 ecosystem.
Binance’s strategic acquisitions and regulatory journey
Binance’s reentry into Japan follows the acquisition of the regulated local platform Sakura Exchange BitCoin in November last year. The acquisition has been rebranded to Binance Japan Inc., further aligning the exchange with Japan’s regulatory environment.
Existing Binance users in Japan have the opportunity to migrate to the local subsidiary starting from August 14. They will gain access to diverse trading features, including spot trading, earning products, and the highly sought-after NFT marketplace.
This launch is a strategic move for Binance, especially considering recent exits by other major exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken from the Japanese market, citing “market conditions.”
Binance’s regulatory journey has been far from smooth. The firm was forced to withdraw its crypto license application in Germany this July and faced complications with its euro banking partner. In the U.S., its affiliate, Binance.US, recently faced legal action from the Securities and Exchange Commission for alleged securities violations.
Japan’s evolving crypto landscape
Japan’s crypto landscape is rapidly evolving. The launch of Binance Japan coincides with the country’s policymakers signaling that more Web3-related policies are in development, as announced at the WebX conference in Tokyo.
The availability of 34 tokens, including the debut of Binance Smart Chain’s native token BNB, makes Binance Japan the country’s largest exchange by token offerings. This move may well influence other exchanges to enhance their offerings and could potentially stimulate increased adoption and innovation in the nation’s crypto ecosystem.
Binance’s commitment to adhering to Japanese regulations and its willingness to bolster technological advancements in the country reflect a strategic approach to foster global growth, even as the world’s largest exchange continues to navigate complex regulatory landscapes globally.
